New Zealand are Twenty20 cricket's Even Stevens. This year, they have won four T20 internationals and lost four. Their record at the World T20 is eight wins and eight losses. Overall in the shortest format they have won 25 and lost 25. It is a respectable enough record for a country whose talent pool is not the deepest. But the thing about breaking even is that while you don't go bust, nor do you reap any kind of profit. And that's the situation New Zealand find themselves in at this year's World T20. It might be a case of stating the obvious, but if New Zealand want to add another major piece of silverware to sit alongside the 2000 ICC Knockout Trophy, they must find a way to win more than they lose. Does that mean taking more risks? Perhaps. Whatever the case, there is enough individual talent in their batting line-up to suggest that they can post some decent totals in this format. Remarkable as it may seem, New Zealand are the only team with two of the top five batsmen in the ICC's T20 rankings: Brendon McCullum at No. 1 and Martin Guptill at No. 5. And only Australia have hit more sixes in T20 history than New Zealand. The challenge is to turn those figures into something tangible.

Finding a way to bowl teams out cheaply could be New Zealand's problem. In the past three years they have conceded three 200-plus totals, the same as India, while no other country has conceded that many more than once. It will help that Daniel Vettori has come out of retirement from T20 internationals for this tournament. His career economy rate of 5.50 is outstanding; among players in this tournament only Vettori and Ajantha Mendis have sustained such a low economy rate for any length of time. He and Nathan McCullum, who is fifth on the ICC's rankings for T20 international bowlers, will form a tricky spin duo and should ease the burden on the seam attack. But the fast men cannot afford to leak too many runs, because to have any chance of reaching the final stages of the World T20, New Zealand need all parts of their game firing simultaneously.

Key Player

It's no surprise that Brendon McCullum is the No. 1-ranked T20 international batsman in the world. He has scored more T20 international runs than any other player, he has passed fifty more times than anyone else, hit the most sixes and struck the most fours. In any team he would be the most important player; in a side like New Zealand, even more so. His ability to clear the boundary, and to sustain that throughout an innings, will go a long way to determining how far New Zealand can go in this tournament.

Surprise package

At the last World T20, James Franklin was not considered good enough to earn a place in New Zealand's squad, and he promptly went away and reinvented himself as an excellent T20 batsman, sometimes as an opener and sometimes in the middle order. Only Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor and Scott Styris have scored more T20 runs among New Zealanders than Franklin, who has enjoyed playing in the subcontinent during his time with the Mumbai Indians in the IPL. He will also provide a useful bowling option if New Zealand go in to matches with a spin-heavy attack.

Weakness

There is firepower in New Zealand's batting, but they must find a way to restrict their opponents when bowling. The problem is their fast men. Kyle Mills, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Doug Bracewell and Franklin all have T20 career economy rates of more than eight an over. The only seamer in the squad with a figure below that is Jacob Oram. His economy rate is 7.99. Vettori and Nathan McCullum can only do so much.

World T20 history

New Zealand reached the semi-finals of the inaugural World T20, losing to Pakistan, but they didn't make it past the Super Eights in 2009 or 2010. Their win-loss record at the World T20 is eight wins and eight losses.

Recent form

New Zealand's tendency to break even has continued this year, as they have won four T20s and lost four. They beat Zimbabwe 2-0, suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of South Africa, lost 2-0 to West Indies in Florida and then beat India 1-0.

Brydon Coverdale is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. He tweets here

Looks like we only needed one of those top 5 batsmen to fire...and wow did he fire! Haha I know we still have to bowl, but wow what a start! I hope all of the Bangladesh posters remember this bowling effort in years to come, because we will have to remind you of it everytime you bring up THAT series : )

Fast_Track_Bully
on September 21, 2012, 11:38 GMT

NZ:191/3 this shows that BD has better bowlers than India. :P Is n't it?

Fast_Track_Bully
on September 21, 2012, 10:49 GMT

@Ahmed Hussain. lol@u..when someone point about your loses, you don't like them..u can point matches which was 2 yrs back!.I have the same interest like the BD fan's interest in Indian matches.Jealousy do not have remedy mate.:)

zn264
on September 21, 2012, 8:28 GMT

Wow it looks like everyone has forgotten all of the hidings we've dished out to Bangladesh over the years...NZ is head and shoulders above this Bangly side, lets not forget we have 2 of the top 5 T20 batsmen in our line up. There is still a lot of respect for Bangladesh cricket though, and we need to play a clinical game to just womp them like the Aussies and Safas have done to the other minnows. NZ by 5 wickets/30-40 runs. Taylor to top score/Southee 4 fa

on September 21, 2012, 8:04 GMT

Slow_Track_Bully...lool Mate that was too long time ago stop reliving the past its all about the recent, present and future. You say focus on the present but yet yourself give past old results you okay? I'm glad Bangladesh Cricket worries you so much great to see you giving your opinions on our pages keep them coming good luck! :)

Master_Mihil
on September 21, 2012, 6:20 GMT

NZ muredred PAK in Pallekale at the world cup, when SL even the hosts couldn't defeat them. Play to you strngths NZ. Give us a good game. Besides NZ always looses to SL in major tournaments, so i would like to see NZ again. Cheers! NZ i root for you!

Fast_Track_Bully
on September 21, 2012, 5:33 GMT

@Ahmed Hussain. Why are you pointing to just one series! There were 0-2, 0-3, 0-4 earlier. So, focus on the present, not run on past.

Udendra
on September 21, 2012, 4:27 GMT

I think New zealand will enjoy the Pallekale strip. it's good for batting and pace bowling.

on September 21, 2012, 3:41 GMT

Being Pakistani fan I support NZ to do well & reach Super 8 along side Pakistan to make it a real supper 8 if BD qualify to the next stage than it will be Super 7 plus one punching bag for the major sides which will suck the action of the tournament. NZ show your metal mates!

Sombrehombre
on September 20, 2012, 23:38 GMT

I think talented but inconsistent sums up NZ, probably both teams in fact. NZ surely have to win this on what is looking likely to be a green Pallekele wicket. They are very lucky to receive such a homely wicket, plus their success in last years world cup at the same ground stands them in good stead.

zn264
on September 21, 2012, 11:39 GMT

Looks like we only needed one of those top 5 batsmen to fire...and wow did he fire! Haha I know we still have to bowl, but wow what a start! I hope all of the Bangladesh posters remember this bowling effort in years to come, because we will have to remind you of it everytime you bring up THAT series : )

Fast_Track_Bully
on September 21, 2012, 11:38 GMT

NZ:191/3 this shows that BD has better bowlers than India. :P Is n't it?

Fast_Track_Bully
on September 21, 2012, 10:49 GMT

@Ahmed Hussain. lol@u..when someone point about your loses, you don't like them..u can point matches which was 2 yrs back!.I have the same interest like the BD fan's interest in Indian matches.Jealousy do not have remedy mate.:)

zn264
on September 21, 2012, 8:28 GMT

Wow it looks like everyone has forgotten all of the hidings we've dished out to Bangladesh over the years...NZ is head and shoulders above this Bangly side, lets not forget we have 2 of the top 5 T20 batsmen in our line up. There is still a lot of respect for Bangladesh cricket though, and we need to play a clinical game to just womp them like the Aussies and Safas have done to the other minnows. NZ by 5 wickets/30-40 runs. Taylor to top score/Southee 4 fa

on September 21, 2012, 8:04 GMT

Slow_Track_Bully...lool Mate that was too long time ago stop reliving the past its all about the recent, present and future. You say focus on the present but yet yourself give past old results you okay? I'm glad Bangladesh Cricket worries you so much great to see you giving your opinions on our pages keep them coming good luck! :)

Master_Mihil
on September 21, 2012, 6:20 GMT

NZ muredred PAK in Pallekale at the world cup, when SL even the hosts couldn't defeat them. Play to you strngths NZ. Give us a good game. Besides NZ always looses to SL in major tournaments, so i would like to see NZ again. Cheers! NZ i root for you!

Fast_Track_Bully
on September 21, 2012, 5:33 GMT

@Ahmed Hussain. Why are you pointing to just one series! There were 0-2, 0-3, 0-4 earlier. So, focus on the present, not run on past.

Udendra
on September 21, 2012, 4:27 GMT

I think New zealand will enjoy the Pallekale strip. it's good for batting and pace bowling.

on September 21, 2012, 3:41 GMT

Being Pakistani fan I support NZ to do well & reach Super 8 along side Pakistan to make it a real supper 8 if BD qualify to the next stage than it will be Super 7 plus one punching bag for the major sides which will suck the action of the tournament. NZ show your metal mates!

Sombrehombre
on September 20, 2012, 23:38 GMT

I think talented but inconsistent sums up NZ, probably both teams in fact. NZ surely have to win this on what is looking likely to be a green Pallekele wicket. They are very lucky to receive such a homely wicket, plus their success in last years world cup at the same ground stands them in good stead.

on September 20, 2012, 22:04 GMT

@zn264...Must be down that Old Zealand (1926 Full Mmebership) lol are declining in Cricket whilst the Cubs are starting to grow into Tigers remember the 4-0 thrashing?

More.blocks.than.a.leggo.box
on September 20, 2012, 20:32 GMT

I think this is anyone's game. If both teams bring it... hmmmm what are the betting odds for a tie?

alamgir17
on September 20, 2012, 19:07 GMT

What an even steven record, wow!!! But tomorrow will be Tigers' day.

jackthelad
on September 20, 2012, 17:09 GMT

There is a very well-known saying, guys - 'And then you woke up'

zn264
on September 20, 2012, 15:45 GMT

Guppy to shine tomorrow, look out! Love watching us chase down big scores (which bangly are more than capable of posting), but there seems to be a lot of pressure on the top order already so that might be dangerous. Best bet is to win the toss and notch up 200. C'mon NZ, time to put all this talk behind us and show em what we're made of out in the middle!

on September 20, 2012, 14:53 GMT

We need to get Oram out quickly. he is the only danger man in NZ side in Sub-Continent. Specially all bd players can stack on each other and I think he still would be taller than them...

jplterrors
on September 20, 2012, 14:23 GMT

NZ will win easy vs always last Bangladesh

StevieS
on September 20, 2012, 12:37 GMT

Give us a greentop and we will beat anyone :D

Fast_Track_Bully
on September 20, 2012, 12:15 GMT

NZ were in the sub-continent for more than a month now. So, they will adjust with the conditions quickly. And if they play to their potential, they will win.

No featured comments at the moment.

Fast_Track_Bully
on September 20, 2012, 12:15 GMT

NZ were in the sub-continent for more than a month now. So, they will adjust with the conditions quickly. And if they play to their potential, they will win.

StevieS
on September 20, 2012, 12:37 GMT

Give us a greentop and we will beat anyone :D

jplterrors
on September 20, 2012, 14:23 GMT

NZ will win easy vs always last Bangladesh

on September 20, 2012, 14:53 GMT

We need to get Oram out quickly. he is the only danger man in NZ side in Sub-Continent. Specially all bd players can stack on each other and I think he still would be taller than them...

zn264
on September 20, 2012, 15:45 GMT

Guppy to shine tomorrow, look out! Love watching us chase down big scores (which bangly are more than capable of posting), but there seems to be a lot of pressure on the top order already so that might be dangerous. Best bet is to win the toss and notch up 200. C'mon NZ, time to put all this talk behind us and show em what we're made of out in the middle!

jackthelad
on September 20, 2012, 17:09 GMT

There is a very well-known saying, guys - 'And then you woke up'

alamgir17
on September 20, 2012, 19:07 GMT

What an even steven record, wow!!! But tomorrow will be Tigers' day.

More.blocks.than.a.leggo.box
on September 20, 2012, 20:32 GMT

I think this is anyone's game. If both teams bring it... hmmmm what are the betting odds for a tie?

on September 20, 2012, 22:04 GMT

@zn264...Must be down that Old Zealand (1926 Full Mmebership) lol are declining in Cricket whilst the Cubs are starting to grow into Tigers remember the 4-0 thrashing?

Sombrehombre
on September 20, 2012, 23:38 GMT

I think talented but inconsistent sums up NZ, probably both teams in fact. NZ surely have to win this on what is looking likely to be a green Pallekele wicket. They are very lucky to receive such a homely wicket, plus their success in last years world cup at the same ground stands them in good stead.